Part 2: Business Analysis Techniques Used by the Strategic Business Analyst

As promised, here is Part 2 of the presentation to the IIBA® (International Institute of Business Analysis TM) Cincinnati Chapter and the Bluegrass IIBA® Chapter. Part 3 will be coming next week (I hope).

Part 2 defines typical outcomes of Strategic Business Analysis and common business analysis techniques used at that level.

Description of the Entire 6-part Presentation

Part 1: Agile, Lean, DevOps, Kanban, ATD, BDD, Cynefin – the New World for Business AnalystsPart 2: Business Analysis Techniques Used by the Strategic Business Analyst
Part 3: Business Analysis Techniques Used by the Tactical Business Analyst
Part 4: Business Analysis Techniques Used by the Operational Business Analyst
Part 5: When Do You Do Business Analysis in Agile Projects
Part 6: The Now and Future Business Analyst Profession

The purpose of business analysis is supposedly to define a future that will allow an organization to achieve specific goals and objectives. In reality, the purpose of business analysis can be anything from mindlessly scribbling down “requirements” to predicting the future of the known universe.

Although often married to IT (Information Technology), business analysis is a fundamental business process regardless which organizational unit performs it. Because it defines the interface between people and technology, it is by nature complex. Based on experience gained in working with hundreds of organizations of various sizes world-wide, we identify distinct differences in business analysis as practiced at three levels.

In a nutshell, Strategic Business Analysis identifies opportunities for improvement. Tactical Business Analysis flushes out the details of defined projects or initiatives. Operational Business Analysis deals with the evolving daily changes in the life of any change process. Defined thusly, these could be three different careers although they share a great deal of common techniques. As the business analyst, you need to be aware of the level at which you are working to morph the techniques for maximum returns.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

1. Define strategic, tactical, and operational business analysis audiences, actions, and results
2. Recognize how to leverage the distinction to further your business analysis career
3. Discuss what it means for the future of the business analysis profession

TARGET AUDIENCE

Project Business Analysts
Enterprise Business Analysts
Business Systems Analysts
Requirements Engineers
Business and Solution Architects
Business Relationship Managers
Project Managers
Managers of Business Analysts
IT Managers
BACoE and PMO Directors